Facial treatment method and means



w. MEYER FACIAL TREATMENT METHOD AND MEANS Feb. 21, 1928.

, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 12 W. MEYER FACIAL TREATMENT METHODAND MEANS Feb. 21, 1928. 1,660,041

Filed June 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

* UNITED STATES" PATENT, OFFICE.

WILLIA MEYER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FACIAL TREATMENT METHOD AND MEANS.

Application filed June .12, 1925; Serial No. 36,602.

My invention relates to an improved facial treatment method and means,and more particularly to an improved method of and means for washing,cleansing, stimulating The application of hot towels by barbers andmasseurs is well known. Continuous use of thls method is ob ectionable,because it will cause the facial tissues to relax and sag. lVith theheating element in contact with the liquid, it is necessary to .applysufficient heat to form steam and cause same to issue therefrom. watervvapor and project or cause same to circulate upon the face because thebody of liquid will cause immediate condensation and. there will be novapor reaching the face. To sutficiently heat the entire body of liquidto avoid this, requires considerable heat and steaming of the liquid.The application of steam to the face is objectionable for the samereasons as pointed out in con-' nection with hot towels, but even morepronounced, if anything. Furthermore, nobody enjoys the scalding hotsensation produced, nor do they enjoy breathing air permeated with steamto a degree Where it may be questioned whether or not it is safe or mayhave dire consequences on the respiratory organs.

My invention contemplates an improved facial treatment method whichcomprises forming a liquid vapor and directing the liquid vapor upon theface. There is a great difference between steam and vapor. Steam isproduced at'212 degrees F. while water vapor may be produced attemperatures much lower than that/ Much less heat is therefore requiredand what is more important, the objectionable results of steam upon theface are avoided. The vaporization may be at as low a temperature aswill. cause proper dissolution of the impurities and dislodgment offoreign matter imbedded in the face and a thorough cleansing of thepores at temperatures but little above normal may be secured. 1

My invention further contemplates directing radiant energy upon the facewith-the liquid vapor. This stimulates the glands to It is not possibleto form.

proper activity and rejuvenates the face. The simultaneous applicationof the two thoroughly cleanses the pores and gives permanent tone tosagging, anemic, and even painful muscles. 7

The source of radiant energy employed is preferably a suitable source ofradiant heat and light such as a suitable incandescent or electric lamp.For the purposeof forming the water vapor, I provide means which may bein the form of the wick-like element adapted to soak up the liquid andgive off the vapor. This permits the heating .element to be disposed outof contact with the liquid to be vaporized and permits subjecting theliquid only partially at a time to the heating element, as in thegeneral form of a film, so that the liquid may be vaporized atrelatively low temperatures and so that the liquidvapor will reach theface before condensingand without steaming.

The source of radiant energy may constitute the heating element, inwhich case the radiant heat and light will both act to vaporizetheliquid, as desired. By projecting the radiant energy from said sourceupon the face as the face is subjected to the liquid vapor, a thoroughcleansing, toning and stimulation is'secured, and for the purpose ofscreening the ultra-red, actinic or other objectionable rays which willor may alfect the. eyes or havev any other deleterious action, I providea shield for screening same therefrom. This shield may comprise coloringthe bulb of the electric light where an electric light is employed, orit may be in the form of a separate shield. When in the form of acoloring, its color may be according to the particular rays which it isdesired to screen. out, or where a separate shield is employed, it maybe: formed to act in a similar manner. A breather for supplying freshair to the patron may also be provided, in which case tenseness isavoided and perfect relaxation secured. A sanitary removable breather iscontemplated for this purpose and it may be adapted for supplying freshair through the nostrils, mouth, or both. The device may also include asupporting standard for supporting it in proper position for use,preferably suspended in oblique position, although this may, of course,be varied as desired.

In order to acquaint. those skilled in the art with the nature andmethod of my inven- 7 tion and with the manner of constructing heatingelement; also the wick-like element and means supporting the wicklikeelement;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one form. of breather;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the same; and

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a modified form of breather.

The device which I have selected for illustration comprises a shell 5 ofgenerally oblong cross-section and preferably having a rounded top 6 anda rounded bottom 8.

This shell 5 may be formed of sheet metal or other suitable material andhas an open end 10 surrounding which the adjacent edge of the shell isrolled back to form a bead 12. The opposite end ofthe shell 5 is closedby a bottom or end closure 14, having a'lateral flange surroundlng thead acent edge of the shell, and the end or bottom closure 14 may besoldered, welded or otherwise joined to the adjacent end of the shell toattach it firmly thereto and provide a tight joint therewith. The endclosure 14 may have a vent opening 14. Inwardly from the open end 10 ofthe shell 5 is a vertical partition 16 extending up from the bottom ofthe shell entirely thereacross. This partition 16 may be soldered orwelded in place, or it may be otherwise formed in the shell and itsfunction will hereinafter be apparent;

For supporting the device in operative position, I provide a standard 18having a base 20, the legs of which may be provided' with rollers 21.Carried at its lower end. by the base 20, is an upright post 28, whichis preferably tubular and telescoping therein is an auxiliary post 24.The post 24 has slid in'g movement into andout of the post 23 for thepurpose of adjusting the height or vertical positioning of the deviceand it may be secured in any desired adjusted position, as by means of aset screw 25. v

The post 24 has a lateral arm 26 at the forward or outer end of which isan eye 28.

The top 6 of the shell 5 has secured thereto,v

as by means of screws 29, a bracket 30, and this bracket 30 carries a'hook 32 which is 1 adapted to be hooked into the eye 28 to suspend thedevice from the lateral arm 26 of the support. The anchored end of thehook 32 extends through an opening in the bracket 30 and is headed atits lower or inner end to anchor it in the bracket, the opening in thebracket through which this hook extends, being preferably slightlylarger than the hook, to permit at least a limited fulcruming action ofthe hook in the bracket. I

To further properly hold the device in place, a flexible suspension link34, as for example a suitable chain secured at its upper end to thelateral arm 26 of the support and hooked or otherwise attached to theclosed end of the shell 5, supports the closed end of the shell 5 andprevents turning or lateral displacement of the shell out of properoperative position about the hook 32. The suspension link 34 ispreferably slightly longer than the hook32, so that the shell 5- will,when suspended from the arm26, be held in oblique position with'its openend inclined upwardly, as shown. The purpose of this will behereinafterapparent.

Fitted and suitably secured in an opening centrally in the bottom or end140 f the shell 5, is an electric connector 40. -This electric connector40 may take any su table or pre- 7 ferred form, and it may, of course,be mount- Ion Also, preferably outwardly of the shell the.

connector 40 is provided with suitable switch means, such as, forexample, in the form of a pull chain 45 for turning the current for thedevice on or oli, as desired. J

In the embodnnent of the invention illustrated, a suitable electric orincandescent lamp 50 constitutes the-source of radiant energy. This lampor light 50 may have the usual plug or base connector 52 adapted to bescrewed into the socket 42 to imount the light and bring it intoelectrical connection with the contacts of the connector 40 so that whenthe current to the device is turned on by the switch means 45, the lamp50 will be placed. in circuit with the conductors 43.

The support'for the wick-like element of the device comprises va plate54 having a central opening 55 through which the base of the lamp 50extends in making connection with the socket 42. The plate 54 isprovided with a multiplicity of relatively close-1 ly relatedperforations 56 and peripherally 1t conforms generally to the-interiorcontour of the shell 5. Integral lugs struck up laterally fronr spacedpointsabout: the periph cry of the plate 54, engage the. interior of theshell 5 and hold the plate 54 properly positioned therein.

Carried by the plate 54 is aframe for the wick-like element. This framecomprises a ring disposed in operative position adjacent the free end ofthe light 50. A plurality of rods 62 secured at their outer ends to thering 60 extend longitudinally and are turned in at 64 at the reduced orbase end of the lamp 50. The base ends of these rods 62 are turned outlaterally parallel the plate 54 at 65 and these base ends .65 aresuitably secured to the plate 54 about the opening 55 as'by soldering orwelding them to the plate 54.

The wick-like element is designated at and it comprises a strip ofmaterial adapted to draw up the water or other liquid and subject itpartially at a time in what I term here a film to the lamp 50. By theterm film I, of course, include the saturated strip or any otheranalogous or equivalent partial subjection of the Water or other liquidtothe heating element. The Wicklike element may be formed of a porousabsorbent and preferably non-conducting sub.- stance such as wovenasbestos or thelike. I find loosely woven asbestos highly desirable, inthat it will soak up the liquid and give off the gases vaporized by theheating element. Also, it will not become scorched or burned nor itsfunctioning impaired. by.

subjection to the heat of the lamp 50. Woven woolor other suitablematerial may, of course, be employed, but in such cases I believe thattreating of said material with means for preventing its scorching orburning is preferable.

The wick-like element 70 is folded intermediate its ends about theframe, thereby surrounding or encasing the lamp 50. It may be sewed orotherwise suitably attached to the frame, and at the base end of thelamp 50 it is preferably drawn in about the lamp 50 as by means of acord 72 for closing oil? that end and preventing material escape ofradiant energy rearwardly. Longitudinally along the bottom of the lamp50, the opposite sides of the Wick-like element 70 are brought togetherand secured as by means of the cord 72, and an additional knotted cord73, or in any other suitable manner. The strip from which the wicklikeelement is formed, is preferably sufiiciently long to leave flaps 75which hang down upon the bottom 8 and into the body of water 76 which isplaced therein.

For the purpose of supplying fresh air to the patron, the device ispreferably provided with a breather 80. This breather 80 comprises ahollow nipple 81 opening through the bottom 8 of the shell 5andprojecting internally therefrom. Fitting over or mounted on said nipple81 is a relatively short rubber hose or flexible tube 82, and thebreather element 83 is adapted for removable attachment to the free endof this or .acombination element for cooperation with both mouth andnostrils is contemplated.

The breather 85 is referabl of lass or y as other material, which may beconveniently washed or cleansed. It is removable from the tube 82 forthis purpose and a high degree of sanitation is thereby provided. Ofcourse, it may be made of any other suitable. material that may beconveniently cleansed, or the provision ofindividual breathers of papermaterial or the like adapted for individual use and to then be thrownaway or discarded, is contemplated. The conductor means 43 may have atits free end a suitable connector 86 for electrical connection with anystandard Edison service outlet or for connection with any other desiredcircuit or source of current.

In operation, the face indicated at 90 in dotted lines in Fig. 1 isdisposedadjacent the open end 10 of the shell 5.. The breather. stems 85of the breather element 83 are inserted intothe nostrils, as indicatedin Fig. 1, or into the mouth or both, as pointed out.

A large glass or two of waterorother suitable liquid, is poured into theshell 5, assuming generally the position indicated at 76 in Fig.2. Atowel or other suitable cover indicated in dotted lines at 92 in Fig. 1,is

then arranged overthe head, as shown, and the current to the source ofradiant energy is turned'on by means of the pull chain switch 45. Forthe purpose of securing the towel or cover over the open end of theshell 5, an annular or continuous coiled spring 95 is provided about theshell 5. The adjacent edge of the towel or cover 92 is arrangedexternally about the open end of the shell, and the spring 95 is sprungor snapped or arranged over this marginal edge and holds the coverfirmly in place over the open end of the shell.

The wick-like element is preferably first dipped or saturated in thewater or liquid. The-flaps 75 thereupon soak up the water or liquidindicated at 76, it being understood that these flaps extend inoperation down into the body of liquid 76, and by capillary action thewater or other liquid travels up through the Wick-like element 70 andaround the lamp 50 in what I have already termed here as a generallyfilm-like formation. This subjects the liquid partially at a time to theradiant energy and heat of the lamp 50. The radiant heat and lightemitted by the lamp both act to vaporize the liquid, and when the faceis under the cover 92 there is a perfect shower of small water particlesand vapor emitted or projected upon the face to cleanse and treat thesame. The

lamp 50 being out of direct contact with thebody of liquid 76, butlittle current is required and steaming of the liquid is avoided, alsoit is thereby possible to vaporize the liquid and have the water vaporreach the face before it condenses.

The radiant energy emitted by the lamp 50 which includes the radiant'heatand such radiant light as is not screened out, is projectedsimultaneously upon the face, stimulating the glands and pores andgiving an effectivetoning and rejuvenation to the face. At the sametime, the breather 80 supplies fresh air to the patron from without theshell 5 so that-there is no tenseness but perfeet relaxation.

For the purpose of screening from the face the ultra-red, actinic orother objectionable rays which will or may affect the eyes or have anyother deleterious action upon the face or eyes, I provide a shield forscreening said rays therefrom. This shield may consist in coloring theglass 98 or providing a coating thereon. The color employed may beaccording to the particular rays which it is desired to screen out. Ifind that by coloring the bulb of the lamp 50 red or coating ittherewith, the desired deleterious rays are screened out and anexceedingly stimulating action is produced upon the face. The particularmanner of forming this shield or screen may, of course, be varied, and ascreen or shield in the form of a sep arate shield independent of thelamp, is contemplated. I

I do not intend, of course, to be limited to the precise details shownand described. For example, the source of radiant energy may be otherthan an electric or incandescent lamp, and the manner of vaporizing theliquid and subjecting the face to the liquid vapors may be practicedwith varia-. tions in the elements and combination shown. There are noheater coils to burn out, automatic recondensation of the water vapor isattained, and the cost of operating is exceedingly low.

I claim v 1. In a device of the class described, an enclosing shell, asource of energy in said shell, means in said shell for subjecting theliquid to be vaporized to said source of energy, a member carrying saidlast means and cooperating peripherally With the interior of the shellto position said means therein, said shell being adapted to contain aliquid and said positioning member being perforate. r

2. Ina device of the character described, a shell open at one end forreceptionof a persons face, a source of heat and radiant energy adjacentthe other end of the, shell and means for supplying liquid to bevaporized to the heat and energy source in the form of a filmsurrounding said source and the open end of the shell, and means forsupplying liquid to the Wick.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of June,1925. V

WVILLIAM MEYER.

to the open end of the

